CHAPTER XVIII THE STOLEN HORSES "Oh, look!" "That horse is going over the cliff!" "Take care, Phil, or he'll drag you with him!" Such were some of the cries which arose as the others looked back on the rocky trail and saw the situation. The horse with the outfit had struck against a projecting rock and been thrown sideways, to where the trail crumbled away in some loose stones close to the edge of the dangerous cliff. The animal and the outfit were in danger of going down to the depths below. Phil, on his own horse, had caught hold of the other horse's halter and was trying to haul him to a safer footing. But the youth and his steed were losing ground instead of gaining it. "Let go, or you'll go over!" screamed Roger, in increasing alarm. "Let the outfit go, Phil!" The shipowner's son tried to do as bidden. But now a new difficulty presented itself. In his eagerness to hold the halter Phil had twisted it about his hand and wrist. Now it was caught in the very flesh and almost pulling one arm from its socket, as he tried to make his own horse hold back. Dave turned swiftly and so did the others, and for the moment there was quite a mix-up on the narrow trail, and all were in danger of losing their footing. Then they crowded to Phil's side, and while Dave caught hold of the halter, Tom Dillon and Roger caught the falling horse with the outfit. "Turn him around--this way!" yelled the old miner, and, old as he was, he showed a wonderful strength in shoving the falling horse back to a firmer footing. The loose stones went clattering over the cliff in a shower, and more than one horse snorted in fright. It was a moment of dire peril and it looked as if somebody, or at least one of the animals, must go over into that yawning chasm below. A stone was flung up by a hoof, hitting Dave in the cheek. But he retained his hold on the halter and pulled for all he was worth. Then came another struggle, and at last the horse with the outfit stood on the safe portion of the dangerous trail; and the peril was at an end. "Oh!" gasped Phil, and for the moment that was all he was able to say. "Give me that halter," said Tom Dillon. "I'll lead him while we are on this narrow part of the trail." "Are you hurt, Phil?" asked Dave. "I--I guess not!" was the panting answer. "But I--I sure did think I was going over there!" And the shipowner's son shuddered. "Your cheek is cut, Dave!" cried Roger. "How did that happen?" "Oh, it's only a scratch--made by a flying stone," was the answer. "It doesn't amount to anything." "I didn't dream that this trail would be so dangerous," went on the senator's son. "If I had known it, I wouldn't have asked you fellows to come along." "Oh, it's not so bad," returned Phil, hastily. "That horse was awkward--he's the worst of the bunch."